One Year Ago Today: GUIDING LIGHT Canceled

One year ago today, We Love Soapsbroke the news that 72 year institution GUIDING LIGHT had been canceled. Because it was April Fools' Day, a lot of people questioned whether it was a cruel joke or not. Unfortunately it wasn't. The show had turned a corner with the Otalia storyline, the return of Phillip Spaulding, and a sense of community daytime hadn't seen in years.

What were you doing when you got the news? Did you believe it at first? How are you coping with the loss of GUIDING LIGHT?

I was at work and saw a post, I then emailed Ron and asked if it was true. When he said yes, I just sat and stared at the monitor. Two of my students were there and they asked, 'What's wrong?' I said, "We are canceled." They looked at me and knew. My friend from the second floor called to check on me because she saw it come up on CNN. Sadly it is one of those things that I will remember like 911. When you grow up with a soap like I did, you feel a great loss when it is gone.

I was so angry that morning thinking how could such reputable sites say GL was cancelled (I was just in denial). Later, I knew it was absolutely true, and I was beyond sad. I had watched the show since around 1989 or so. Me and my mom and sister still miss the Light terribly. I would rather chew nails than watch LMAD.

I was sitting right here at my computer. CBS was so stupid for doing this. I immediately jumped to DAYS to prepare for the return of Crystal Chappell. My only coping mechanism is DAYS, Venice and the love Crystal Chappell is showing her fans.

Friend of mine who works in a TV station said that LMAD is being replaced in some markets and being shoved to the late night grave yard. SWEET! Here is a treat some examples of The Guiding Light radio show.http://comicweb.com/osCommerce1/catalog/guiding-light-time-radio-program-p-2714.html

I was working at a clinic, having a very very busy Wednesday. I didn't have access to FaceBook, but my e-mail told me if someone left a post on my wall. Will Clark left me a message: "OMG, Guiding Light canceled, is this for real?" I didn't believe it either until a friend who works on another soap confirmed it.

How does one get through the rest of the day? I always think of the old motto, "The show must go on." Except GL wasn't going to go on, and that made that day exceptionally difficult.

I'm pretty sure I was home in my room at my computer. I believe I heard about it on Daytime Confidential's site and was like, "Are you kidding me?" How could cancellation news come on April Fools? So cruel! I was sad, but I can't say I was shocked.

I was sitting at my computer and moderating BPD. The first thing I did was message you, Roger! After that I called a couple of friends in NYC to confirm before breaking the news on the board. Then I took a step back and had time alone to deal.

I was at work when I heard. I instantly went to Facebook and Twitter and opened accounts to try and do something about it! Before that day, I did not have accounts on either!

It has really changed my life to lose the show, I have a message board with over 2000 people whom I discuss the show on a daily basis. (www.guidinglightcentral.com) These people were all affected. Now we discuss what the actors are up to, and less about the show. It is sad!

On the positive side, it is fun to see the web series like Steamboat and Venice and Empire (with Orlagh and Tina "the B!tch is Back" Sloan) come out with our beloved GL family in it. I have been working hard writing to help Steamboat get picked up by a network like Comedy network!

By the way, the http://www.twitter.com/Guiding_Light twitter is posting everyone's favorite GL memories today, please go join in the fun! We are trying to make #GL a trending topic!

Logged into Big Purple Dreams, read the posts about the cancellation and then sat in silence for a good half hour. I think after that I spent the next 5+ months in a chat room raging about the injustice of it all.

Where was I? Huh, since it was in the morning, I think I had just watched Guiding Light and then went to the CBS GL board when the news and all hell broke loose.

I still miss Guiding Light daily at 10 am when it used to air here.

Even though many have found fault with the location shoots in Peapak, once the camera stopped shaking...I really enjoyed the look and the feel of the show...and some times the settings like the gazebo (especially for Olivia and Natalia) and Bill and Lizzie getting married among the trees added so much to the story.

Going to a couple of the fan events...when I have never gone to any soap fan events ever before...have been priceless...not only to meet some of the cast...but to meet so many other fans who have had such great stories about how Guiding Light intertwined with their lives.

I was waiting to go home to watch the days GL episode. It was must see TV for me. I believe it was one of the engagement episodes. (Otalia fans know what I am talking about.) I logged on to CNN.com and saw a little news story. I ran home and confirmed the news on the BPD.

My heart sank at the news. Mostly heartbroken because that would mean the end of the Otalia story but I was invested in the show as a whole. I still believe it was a mistake.

I am so grateful for how GL stars have continued to reach out to their fans. People like Crystal Chappell and Michael O'Leary have been proactive in exploring new media. I love that there have been events for the fans. GL passion has not died down in the least. I always knew the diehard GL fans were loya.